Support BARMM chief, Galvez urges Muslims

MANILA, Philippines — Citing the importance of building on the gains of the peace process, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. called on the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) yesterday to support newly appointed interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua.

Malacañang confirmed on Sunday President Marcos’ appointment of Macacua, a former Maguindanao del Norte governor.

“We call on the Bangsamoro people to support the new leadership and continue the trek on the path of peace in the Bangsamoro region. Together, we must build upon the gains of the peace process,” Galvez said in a statement.

“For the continuity and success of the Bangsamoro peace agreement, we place our trust in interim Chief Minister Macacua as he takes the helm of governance, especially with the first parliamentary elections just seven months away,” he added.

According to Galvez, Macacua’s appointment would further strengthen the leadership foundation established by former BARMM chief minister Ahod “Al-Haj“ Ebrahim in the ongoing transition period of the Bangsamoro region.

Galvez said Marcos’ “political decision aligns well with the current realities in the Bangsamoro.”

Malacañang downplayed reports of possible unrest following the change in BARMM leadership.

“Currently, we do not see anything that could cause trouble if there is a transfer of power in BARMM,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing, noting that Ebrahim is a proponent of the peace process.

“We don’t see that (unrest) happening based on chief Ebrahim’s personality,” she added.

Castro declined to comment on why Ebrahim was replaced.

The change in BARMM leadership came weeks after Marcos signed Republic Act 12123, which resets the first BARMM elections from May 12 to Oct. 13.

Muslim leaders express support

Muslim leaders expressed their support to Macacua, with Basilan Gov. Hadjiman Salliman telling reporters in Cotabato City yesterday that he congratulated the new BARMM chief.

“We also thank his predecessor, former chief minister Ebrahim for the services he had extended to our people and for all the projects of the BARMM government in our province during his tenure,” Salliman said.

Mayor Rhoderick Furigay of Lamitan City in Basilan said he and his constituent Muslim and Christian leaders would support the peace, security and development initiatives of Macacua, the way they supported the administration of Ebrahim.

Mayor Marshall Sinsuat of Datu Blah Sinsuat, touted as the most peaceful town in Maguindanao del Norte, said he is certain that top Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders have given Macacua their “imprimatur” to replace Ebrahim as BARMM chief minister.

“Their central committee acts like a collegial bloc. I’m convinced there was a consensus about that. We in Datu Blah Sinsuat recognize the new chief minister. We too shall support his administration to the best we can,” Sinsuat said.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamimtal Adiong Jr. urged Macacua to adhere to the “moral governance principle” that the MILF bloc in the 80-seat BARMM parliament has been espousing as the main principle in managing the regional government.

The MILF has 41 representatives in the 80-seat Bangsamoro parliament, which also has members from the Moro National Liberation Front.

“We wish to see a strong regional bureaucracy under your leadership of the regional government,” Adiong said. — Roel Pareño, John Unson, Emmanuel Tupas